The Quality Assurance Academy (QAA) is back with its 6th edition, bringing a fresh perspective and a new module that makes the programme more comprehensive and enriching. Each year, we welcome a vibrant and diverse community of quality assurance professionals who come together to share their expertise, exchange insights, and grow in their careers.

Tailored for quality assurance professionals in business schools, the Academy equips participants with the leadership competencies and managerial skills needed to navigate the complex challenges of quality assurance/quality management (QA/QM) work. More than a programme, it is a space for learning, reflection, and professional development.

At its core, the QAA offers a broad outlook on the leading quality assurance frameworks, making it a valuable and versatile qualification. Participants explore all major dimensions of the QA role—from leadership and project management to data management, rankings, and risk management. Interactive online sessions are complemented by mentoring groups and collaborative project work, creating a rich and supportive learning journey.

To bring this experience closer, we asked Susy Rodrigues from Nova School of Business and Economics, a Quality Assurance Academy graduate, to share her reflections on how the Academy shaped her perspective and professional path:

What motivated you to join the Quality Assurance Academy, and what were your goals when you signed up?

I joined QAA to explore tools and practices that could make our processes lighter, more consistent, and genuinely valuable, especially in Assurance of Learning, which I felt could be developed further.

How did the structure of the programme—such as the roundtables, mentoring, and live sessions—help you progress in your QA role?

What I most appreciated about QAA was how the different formats built on each other in purposeful and practical ways. The first assignment gave me clarity on what I could improve within the scope of my role, and that perspective shaped everything that followed. The live sessions were engaging, the roundtables with colleagues from other institutions brought diverse perspectives, and the mentoring sessions provided personalised guidance. QAA encouraged me to try out ideas, reflect, and adapt; and that has influenced how I approach my role.

Tell us about your capstone project—what was it focused on, and how did the final defence process shape your learning experience?

My capstone project focused on streamlining our Assurance of Learning processes and finding better ways to involve faculty. AoL had become too manual and heavy, seen as burdensome and imposed by accreditation agencies with little value. I worked to simplify steps, introduce an AoL management tool, clarify roles, and make the process more meaningful. By the time of the final defence, some changes were already in motion, which pushed me to explain clearly why they mattered not just operationally but strategically. With support from my mentor and group, I gained the confidence and clarity to turn what began as a project into a mission I believed in.

Which specific skill areas do you feel improved the most through this programme?

Through QAA, three skill areas stand out where I feel I’ve grown: communication, leadership, and project management. I realised that even the best-designed process won’t work without faculty buy-in, so I learned to frame messages more clearly, build trust, and keep conversations constructive in ways that helped faculty begin to trust the process. I also came to see leadership not as authority, but as adapting your approach, being attuned to the context, and guiding others toward the best outcomes. And project management gave me a framework to plan, prioritise, and coordinate the many moving parts of Assurance of Learning so that change could be both practical and lasting.

How did working with mentors and peer groups influence your learning journey and application of QA concepts post-Academy?

Working with my mentor and peer group was one of the most valuable parts of the Academy. What I valued in my mentor was her availability and approachable style, using practical examples that helped me simplify challenges and focus on what mattered most. My peer group reminded me that we share many of the same challenges, and those conversations gave me both reassurance and ideas I could adapt to my own institution.

Was there something that surprised you that you did not consider before joining?

Before joining, I assumed the Academy would be mostly about refining processes and exploring theory. What I didn’t anticipate was how much of QA’s success depends on people. Conversations, trust, and collaboration are not secondary but central to making quality processes meaningful and sustainable. In the end, I learned that QA is as much about people as it is about systems.

Looking back, what lasting impact has the QAA had on your QA career, and what advice would you give someone considering enrolling in the next edition?

The Academy gave me renewed energy to try new approaches and seize opportunities to make QA more meaningful and relevant, both for myself and my team. That perspective continues to shape how I approach challenges in my role, reminding me that QA is about alignment and shared responsibility, not just compliance. My advice to anyone considering the next edition: the programme offers space to reflect on your own challenges, learn from others facing similar ones, and come away with tools and confidence you can apply straight away.

The next edition of the Quality Assurance Academy will take place online from 13 October to 10 December 2025. After the core modules, participants will continue with individual capstone project work, leading up to their online oral defences and a graduation meeting in February 2026. The programme is designed to support quality assurance professionals in business schools, focusing on key areas such as leadership, project and data management, rankings, and risk management — all complemented by mentoring and hands-on project work.

Learn more and join the upcoming EFMD Quality Assurance Academy. For any questions or further details about the QAA, please reach out to Katerina Albi. We look forward to seeing you there!

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives, visit the conversation on EFMD accreditations and assessments.